Ecocert, one of the world’s largest organic certification organisations, is set to launch its register of consumer-facing certification for eco friendly spa facilities at the end of September this year.

A website dedicated to Being, the spa arm of Ecocert, will include a public register of certified facilities.

The register will give details on each of the certified spas, as well as other spas involved in the Being programme. Details will include things such as types of equipment, services and protocols across all spas involved.

Level one of the criteria covers 50 basic points which focus on the services and condition of treatments, products purchased, used or sold and site management. Spas at level two will demonstrate six additional standards including three of exceeding the compulsory criteria and three others which will be decided based on each specific spa’s operation.

For companies to become certified, there is a free online self-assessment questionnaire, which operators can fill out to see what criteria they already meet and what criteria still needs to be filled. Once a questionnaire is filled out, the process of accrediting and inspecting spa premises will be carried out.

Accredited spas will receive at least one anonymous visit or unannounced inspection annually to ensure standards are being maintained at acceptable levels.

So far only a few facilities have been certified, although 15 more are currently going through the process. Ecocert is aiming to have 50 spas across the world awarded Being certification over the next 12 months.

A feature on Ecocert will be published in the next edition of Spa Business Magazine, Issue 3, p48 which will be available at www.spabusiness.com from October 1.